As Los Angeles and its neighboring regions grapple with devastating wildfires, a 2018 video of then-President Donald Trump has resurfaced, highlighting his advice to California Governor Gavin Newsom on the importance of forest floor maintenance.
In the clip, Trump emphasizes the need for forest cleanliness as a preventive measure against such disasters.
"There's been a lot of study going on over the last little while," Trump said, "and I will say I think you're gonna havehopefully this is going to be the last of these because this was a really, really bad one. And I know that Gavin's committed, we're all committed, I'm committed to make sure that all of this is cleaned out and protected. You gotta take care of the floors. You know, the floors of the forests, very important."
According to The Post Millennial, Trump also drew comparisons with other nations where forest management practices differ significantly. He cited his conversation with the Finnish president, who referred to Finland as a 'forest nation' and emphasized their rigorous forest maintenance practices, which have effectively minimized fire-related issues.
"You look at other countries where you do it differently and it's a whole different story. I was with the president of Finland and he said 'We have a much differentwe're a forest nation.' He called it a 'forest nation.' And they spend a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things and they don't have any problem. And when it is, it's a very small problem. So I know everybody's looking at that, to that end. And it's gonna work out," Trump said with his characteristic optimism. "It's gonna work out well."
In contrast, California's 2022 Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan underscored the need to protect rare plants and species diversity during forest floor clearing. The plan also attributed the increased intensity and frequency of fires to climate change, highlighting the role of seasonal winds, vegetation type, and density in fire patterns. The plan further predicted that climate change would exacerbate wildfire risk and intensity in the region.
"Climate change," the Action Plan continued, "is expected to increase both wildfire risk and wildfire intensity in much, if not all, of this region."
Amid the ongoing wildfires, Trump's posts criticizing Newsom's forest management also resurfaced. Trump had previously warned that the federal government would withhold aid unless Newsom improved forest management in his state.
President Joe Biden, however, promptly approved aid for California following Newsom's declaration of a state of emergency. He assured the state of federal assistance to suppress the Pacific Palisades fire and pledged to support the response efforts.
"I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles," Biden said. "My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire. Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs.My Administration will do everything it can to support the response. I urge the residents of the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding areas of Los Angeles to stay vigilant and listen to local officials."
While the debate over forest management and climate change continues, the immediate focus remains on combating the current wildfires and ensuring the safety of the affected communities.
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